Nigeria: Akpo Ki Boro

opinion

Reconcilong the choice of this title in Urhobo is guided by the reality that a foreign language, which the English language is to me, cannot always bear the burden of certain experiences. Hence, when such experiences occur, one is bound to exclaim in the indigenous language which some of us consider metaphorically dense enough to adequately depict any occurrence no matter how weird or surprising. Akpo ki boro is an Urhobo proverb which when translated literally means "life is like football". However, its metaphoric signification inheres in life being unpredictable like the game of football. The Urhobo language is fascinating in its deployment of proverbs and wits in the people's attempt to come to terms with the vagaries of existence. Primordial as the proverbs are, they evince a strong sensitivity and awareness of contemporary exigencies.

This fluid and sensitive feature of Urhobo proverbs is reflected in the present title. The game of football was never part of Urhobo ontology and etymology. Nevertheless, through a keen observation of the phenomenon of the game of football and its unpredictable character, the Urhobo people wove around it an apt metaphor that is given life through a proverb. The factor of unpredictability has come to define Nigeria, a country that now reads like an unfolding drama that is at once exasperating and exciting; tragic, yet comedic; at once destructive and redemptive. A drama imbued with a limitless propensity for surprise and suspense. The very recent coalition of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and thirty-eight other political parties justifies the Urhobo quip of akpo ki boro.

...

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.